Page 40 - World Airnews Magazine June 2020 Edition

UAS

FIRST FLIGHT

he first successful flight of a

Tsolar-powered High Alti tude, Long
Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HALE
UAV) called the PHASA-35 has taken place.
Expert in the design and development
of innovative aerospace products, the

company responsible for this feat is called
Prismatic Ltd.

Standing for Persistent High-Altitude

Solar Aircraft or PHASA-35 could provide

a year-round, cost-effective service across

a range of operations, including envi-
ronmental monitoring, defence, remote
sensing, security, resource management,
surveillance, and communications to

remote areas.
Running on solar energy to power the

aircraft during the daytime and to charge

batteries for night time flying, solar HALE

UAVs provide a much more cost-effective
alternative to conventional satellite sys-

tems. The electric aircraft uses ultra-light-

weight solar panels and long-life batteries
to power flying operations that can last for

up to one year. operations taking place in the United States vehicle is 35 m. The lifespan of the integrat-

The main features of the PHASA-35 and the UK. ed airframe is three years.
are the efficient aerodynamics, propul- Engineering Director for BAE Systems, Ian The solar electric aircraft's battery

sion and power systems that keep the Muldowney, referred to the results of the technology ensures an airborne operation

solar electric aircraft at high altitude PHASA-35 flight trial as "outstanding" and of one year before any maintenance is

for long periods, while only requiring said that to go from design to flight in less required, and the efficient, light-weight

minimal power. than two years demonstrates the pace that design enables a flying altitude of up to

During this first flight trial, which was can be achieved when the best of British 70,000 ft.

conducted at the Royal Australian Air capabilities are combined. With its integrated dihedral roll rudder,

Force (RAAF) Woomera test range in Also commenting on the project, Founder the tail design supports smooth and contin-

South Australia, aerodynamics, propulsion and Managing Director of Prismatic, Paul uous flight control.

and power efficiency were all found to Brooks, said PHASA-35 could revolutionise Solar panels powering the aircraft during

meet the full range of function and perfor- the way we think about Beyond Line of the day are positioned on the surfaces of

mance standards. Sight (BLOS) communications: the wings to ensure a maximum amount of

Furthermore, the completely autono- "It's great to have the support of a world energy is harnessed and also absorbed for

mous flight control ensured the robust leading technology company like BAE Sys- storage in Lithium-ion batteries that fuel

aircraft landed where intended in the tems. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the vehicle during the night. Two electric
presence of significant side winds. the team who have worked tirelessly over motors paired with high-altitude propellers

Prismatic said that the successful launch, the past two years to develop PHASA-35 ensure a flight speed of up to 78 kt.

flight, landing and overall performance as a proven, cost effective and reliable BAE Systems states that, once coupled

of the system was precisely in line with system." with other technologies, the PHASA-35
design expectations. could offer capabilities not seen with

This showed that the PHASA-35 has the PHASA-35 DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN current air and space platforms and that it
potential to provide year-round ser- AND FEATURES could be used for disaster relief and border

vices for 90% of the world's population Initial flight tests for the PHASA-35 were protection operations at a significantly
and provide global services for major performed in 2017 and 2018 using a cheaper cost compared with satellites.
applications such as precision agriculture, quarter-scale version of the system called
resource management, wildfire early the PHASE-8. These tests demonstrated the APPLICATIONS OF PHASA-35

detection and mapping. vehicle's performance characteristics, such Some examples of PHASA-35's services

as the strength and stiffness of the wing include:
A COLLABORATION PROJECT WITH structure. • Surveillance
BAE SYSTEMS Following successful completion of the • Communications

Prismatic designed, developed and tests and the subsequent collaboration • Remote sensing

delivered PHASA-35 in collaboration with agreement between Prismatic and BAE

BAE Systems as part of a joint development Systems, the resulting PHASA-35 incorpo- • Resource management
agreement made between the two rates a structure comprised of carbon-fi- • Environmental monitoring

companies in May 2018. bres-composite (CFC) materials and carries • Disaster relief

BAE Systems is one of the world's largest a payload of more than 15 kg. • Early forest fire detection
defence contractors, with its largest-scale Weighing just 150 kg, the wingspan of the • Improved precision farming
World Airnews | June 2020
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